What happens to the ribbon of land being created by the depression of the Central Artery may be the most important development decision to face Boston in a generation.
A national panel of experts in governance, landscape architecture, and design offers recommendations on designing, building, and operating the Rose Kennedy Greenway. | Go
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A pair of public forums dubbed "Community Conversations" resulted in dozens of innovative ideas for the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Check out stories, photos, and the ideas themselves. | Go |
The Central Artery land weaves nearly continuously from Chinatown to North Station, but its two dozen individual parcels differ considerably in character and potential use. Here's a look. | Go |
Boston is unique, but the issues involved in reclaiming Central Artery land are not. A series of MIT case studies looks at lessons from similar projects around the world. | Go |
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The history of the downtown corridor
1959
The Central Artery is opened for traffic.
1972 to 1985 Concept of burying Central Artery is created and revived.
1986 to 1990 Many visions and plans put forward for the corridor.
1987 Federal grant overcomes major financing hurdles.
1987 Construction starts in Charlestown.
1990
State Secretary of Environmental Affairs approves downtown construction -- if acceptable open space and development balance is created over the Big Dig.
1991 "Boston 2000" plan by the BRA and Massachusetts Highway Department designates development or open space future for all parcels. BRA and the city create detailed zoning based on this plan, known as "Article 49."
1991 State Secretary of Environmental Affairs accepts the Boston 2000 plan as open space criteria.
1992
Construction starts for the Downtown Corridor.
1995 The "Consensus Plan" is adopted by city and state to locate streets and sidewalks, defining final parcel boundaries.
1996
The Legislature names the Corridor open spaces The Rose Kennedy Greenway.
1997 The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority takes over responsibility for the Central Artery project from the Massachusetts Highway Department.
1999 Process begins to select developers for parcels targeted for buildings.
2000 to 2001 Master plan for final parcels is assembled by Turnpike Authority, with program ideas, design guidelines and principles.
2002 New concepts advanced by the city and state to create a management entity for the Downtown Corridor.
2002 to 2003 Teams selected to design final parcels.
2003 to 2004 The last parcels are to be designed.
2004 to 2005 The open parcels are completed. Construction of the buildings on other parcels continues until they, too, are finished.
